Axis History Forum

This is an apolitical forum for discussions on the Axis nations and related topics hosted by the Axis History Factbook in cooperation with Christian Ankerstjerne’s Panzerworld and Christoph Awender's WW2 day by day.
Founded in 1999.

Hi, everyone, I see Japanese division TOE had listed a number of Type 89 5cm Grenade Launchers, but never see how their Type 100 Rifle Grenade Launchers and Type 2 antitank Grenade Launcher distributed in division. I would like to ask if any Standard for distributing those two Rifle Grenade Launcher in Japanese division, anyone have data on that ?

I only see example that from Ness Leland book its Ocean divisions like 14th and 29th Divisions received 200 x Type 100 Rifle Grenade Launchers and 100 x Type 2 antitank Grenader Launchers Prior to deployment to the Pacific.

On the Equipment Tables, Type 89 Grenade Launchers were designated for 海洋編制師団 Amphibious Divisions such as 14th or 29th Divisions and 本土決戦師団 Homeland Defense Divisions. In other words, Rifle Grenade Launchers were irregular equipment.

Below is a Google translation of Japanese WIKI's commentary on Type 2 Rifle Grenade Launcher. Type 100 Rifle Grenade Launcher was said to be less powerful than the Type 2.
This grenade is a variant of the German-made Seescher grenade launcher. It is said that two types of ammunition were mass-produced for this grenade weapon. A 30mm caliber rifle and a larger 40mm caliber rifle. These were both referred to as two sets.
The supply of supplies to the offshore forces under the command of the 17th Army, which had been dispatched to Rabaul on September 4 1942, includes 600 single-armed grenades. Additional items on September 9 include a vertical weapon for Type 38 rifles (Type 2 grenades), 10 and 40 mm vertical ammunition, and 400 rounds. On October 8, 2,000 40mm cartridges were sent from the Army Arsenal to offshore units under the command of the 17th Army.
In the Battle of Gloucester Point in December 1943, one of the M4 medium tanks was pierced through the rear of the turret with a 40mm "ta bullet," but was safely retreated without any casualties.

Antitank rifle grenade launcher was used experimentally in the Pacific War. But, it was not effective against M4 Medium Tank as stated above. So, it could not become the standard equipment in IJA division. In the late Pacific War, Type 3 AT Grenade or Lunge AT Mine were used instead of antitank rifle grenade launcher.

Antitank rifle grenade launcher was used experimentally in the Pacific War. But, it was not effective against M4 Medium Tank as stated above. So, it could not become the standard equipment in IJA division. In the late Pacific War, Type 3 AT Grenade or Lunge AT Mine were used instead of antitank rifle grenade launcher.